Get prepared. No matter how long you’ve worked at Cisco or how long you’ve been “friends” with your peers. They will ghost you. Just be prepared so it doesn’t come as a shock.
Most of us that were LR’d can attest to the fact that they will go silent, not return phone calls or emails. It is what it is just be ready so you aren’t disappointed.
Hang in there, keep your head up and move on.
They were never actually your true friends. Getting “ghosted”, in that context, should not matter. You made the mistake of thinking people you worked with were people who care about YOU and not the work you represented or accomplished for THEM.
Learn this lesson early in life.
Why keep in touch with loosers? if someone is LR'ed, they are gone, no point to deal with them. This is workplace, not family matters. Did I know you before we met at Cisco? nope. Get lost. If we meet again, great, otherwise see ya!
I have reached out to LR’d people I know with and referred them as well. If someone reaches out then I won’t ghost them. But i prefer to keep the discussions off webex and in personal space. Often we don’t reach out to people and we assume we’ve been ghosted.
100% spot on.
It’s a sad reality we live in and I’m still shocked that people who you thought were decent work colleagues would ghost you. It’s a terrible awkward position Cisco puts you through making you feel worthless and what makes it worse are those people who never bothered to reached out to see if you’re ok. I recommend for people to show up and reach out to those people affected. Don’t make them feel worse. It feels good having people reach out to you and not make you feel like nothing. No matter how awkward it is please reach out to them. I guess awkwardness is a huge factor for people not reaching out. Big mistake. That could be you one day.
To those people affected, just keep applying for jobs, update your LinkedIn and show you’re Open to Work. You’ll be amazed at how many recruiters will reach out to you for job opportunities. Bear in mind, the job market is tough at the moment especially with all the layoffs causing a spike in demand and not enough supply. Be prepared that your new job won’t come as easy as you’d hope. The recruitment process is brutal. Time will fly quickly so make the most of apply for jobs. I hate what Cisco has done till this day. The faster you’re able to move on the better. Goodluck to you all.
You may as well have been abducted by aliens....when you're gone, you're out of mind.
It’s damaging to a lot of people. Some employees work with the same people every day. Some employees work with the same people for years. Communication ceases. Some people never exchange another word again.
Every time managers ask to 'Respect their privacy'.. maybe thats from the HR training script
I'm literally in touch with a number of folks LRd as are many I know. It may be personal but it's not some corporate thing.
Have worked 30 years at co.paniea with layoffs and this is a crock. I've never seen normal people do this
As long as Lumi stays in touch I'm good
"How many coworkers came over for dinner or called you when you had a serious illness?"
Plenty, at other companies.
“Office Friends” are just that. It cuts both ways.
How many coworkers came over for dinner or called you when you had a serious illness? Don’t confuse work with life.
Ciscos toxic culture comes from top down . Leadership picks toxic people to manager worker bees . If it makes you feel any better some people behave like that even before LR so am prepared for the worst.
There are people reading this very thread that have ghosted previously LR'd folks.
So, what's your excuse?
No matter what it is, when it happens to you, it will be upsetting.
The entire culture at Cisco is toxic that’s why. It doesn’t happen like this at other places. Everything about Cisco is messed up just remember that. It’ll help when you are ignored and disregarded. It’s not personal it’s just the way things are around here.
This is human nature. It's expected. No, they don't hate you. No, they haven't turned their back on you. You may feel that way, sure, but that's not what's really happening.
It's like you have a flesh eating bacteria and they are simply afraid of catching it is all. They're worried by associating with you (especially in open), it will make them vulnerable as well -- remember they have families, kids, etc. too. This is an irrational fear, but it is deep rooted in humans as a means of self preservation. People do it even to those rather close to them.
Now, give it time, perhaps a few months and they will start talking with you again. It's not their fault, just life.
I had real, non work friends that joined Cisco. I helped them get in.
I get LR'd and poof, I'm dead to them.
It's like the company is a cult.
Yup happened to me in February. Talking to these so called friends everyday to zilp, zilch, nada lol
I’ve left plenty of jobs as move up the career ladder most of those friends I still see and talk to but not a Cisco. It’s as if I had the plague or something. One minute they are there and the next minute they simply vanish. Very strange
I had folks reach out to me for jobs but when I was LR’d they disappeared.
Very strange but I never respond to people who ghost me. It shouldn’t be like this but it is.
I don't blame them but it is disappointing. Also it's generally not communicated and some long-time colleagues won't actually find out until much later when they reach out for help. When you retire there's usually some sort of 'goodbye' which generates a lot of well-wishing, especially after 20 years. None of that my friends- you have just become the Disappeared.
I've worked other place that don't do this. Does Cisco push this ghosting culture, or are there just more jerks there than is typical?
I made a similar post a few weeks ago and people said I deserved it blah blah but I totally agree you'll be cut off from your peers quick just watch and see
Agree strange, would be good to know if that is a cisco thing or just human nature somehow.
I felt like it was a I’m glad it’s you and not me and then years later when you’ve rebounded and they get let go all of sudden you hear from them again. Nope. Goodbye and stay gone.
Yeah it’s almost like they align with the same company that will do the same thing to them.
Most of these relationships are superficial. It’s hard to see that when you’re in it but they are. Just remember that when you go to your new job and you will bounce back!